Progressive Democrats won a series of competitive races in Pennsylvania’s Allegheny County on Tuesday, significantly reducing the influence of the party’s moderate wing in a region that includes the city of Pittsburgh.
State Representative Sara Innamorato’s victory in the Democratic primary for county executive was perhaps the most important result.
Meanwhile, progressive challenger Matt Dugan ousted Democratic Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala. And Bethany Hallam, at-large member of the county council, survived a challenge from a moderate contender.
“People are hungry for a government that works for them,” Innamorato told HuffPost. “They are hungry for policies that progressives tend to adopt during campaigns and use when they govern.”
The primary result is the product of a year-long campaign by progressives to win elections in a county where the reigning Democratic Party has historically been moderate, and often underrepresented by women and non-whites.
If he wins the general election in November, Innamorato would replace outgoing county executive Rich Fitzgerald (D), a dealmaker with ties to both big business and organized labor who served three four-year terms.
Fitzgerald has been determined to reverse leftist gains in the Pittsburgh area since an initial wave of progressive victories in 2018, when Innamorato and Summer Lee (D), backed by the Democratic Socialists of America political group, expelled two old-guard Democratic state legislators.
In the 2022 Democratic primary, Fitzgerald endorsed the candidacy of then-U.S. Representative Conor Lamb for the United States Senate nomination over the most progressive candidate and eventual winner, John Fetterman. He also endorsed attorney Steve Irwin over Lee for a seat in the US House of Representatives, which he ultimately won.
This time, Innamorato benefited from a packed primary field, triumphing over at least two serious contenders: Pittsburgh controller Michael Lamb and Allegheny County treasurer John Weinstein. (Fitzgerald had endorsed Michael Lambwho is Conor Lamb’s uncle.)
He also came forward with a clear and progressive message, presenting to voters his vision of more affordable housingharder environmental regulationsand higher taxes on big corporations and nonprofit organizations like the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Meanwhile, Innamorato highlighted how the loss of his father to opioid addiction shaped his world view and he chaired a grassroots survey network that helped identify 20,000 voters who supported Innamorato.
“Over the course of the last five to 10 years, we’ve really been building a coalition of people and organizations across Allegheny County who care deeply about affordable housing, clean air and water, good union jobs, most basic things that we need in our daily lives,” said Jennifer Rafanan Kennedy, chair of Innamorato’s campaign committee and managing director of Pennsylvania United, a progressive umbrella group that has been active in many of Pittsburgh’s left-wing electoral successes.
“It’s really that cycle of organizing and issue-based elections that has allowed us to build the kind of power it takes to transform this county.”
Joe Rockey/Facebook Campaign
But Pittsburgh’s rising left can’t claim victory just yet, even if Dugan doesn’t have a Republican opponent and Hallam is widely seen as safe.
Joe Rockey, Innamorato’s Republican opponent and a former bank executive at PNC Financial Services Group, could mount a competitive campaign. Allegheny County has about twice as many registered Democrats as Republicans, but many of those Democrats are more moderate than Innamorato.
“Sara was the weaker candidate from our perspective coming out of the primary,” said Mark Harris, a Republican consultant advising Rockey’s campaign. “County voters are going to have a clear choice between the stable executive leadership of a moderate versus someone who is well outside the mainstream.”
Harris added: “If you want to continue Fitzgerald’s efforts to prioritize jobs, Joe Rockey on those issues is closer.”
A key issue in the campaign is likely to be the issue of hydraulic fracturing for natural gas, commonly known as fracking.
Many environmentalists and public health experts criticize the energy extraction method for leaking dangerous methane gas and endangering local freshwater supplies. But proponents of the technology point out that using gas to generate electricity generates fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to coal. And local unions have become heavily dependent on the industry as a source of high-paying union jobs.
Fitzgerald in 2013 signed a fracking initiative at Pittsburgh International Airport. The project has generated millions of dollars in annual revenue that the county has used to reduce airline fares and expand airport operations (although some observers point out that the revenue has he fell short of initial expectations).
Innamorato confirmed to HuffPost that he would seek to effectively ban fracking by having the Allegheny County Health Department issue new rules regulating the practice.
He conceded that the executive’s office would have to resolve legal jurisdiction issues over the airport with the Federal Aviation Administration, as well as the many county municipalities that currently exercise control over land use.
“What it means for existing infrastructure is unclear, but we will seek and exercise the full authority of the (Health) Department,” he said.
Innamorato and his allies are confident that he will prevail against Rockey, as he has shown that he can garner support in suburban communities outside of Pittsburgh.
He also plans to stress to Democrats elected to federal and state offices the importance of having a party member lead the county before the 2024 presidential and congressional elections.
“We have collectively breathed a lot of new life into the party and created excitement around it,” said Innamorato. “That can improve participation and ensure that we reach people who feel disconnected from the process and give them the opportunity to be a part of it.”
He even plans to call Fitzgerald. Will he seek the endorsement of the outgoing county executive?
“I will appreciate anyone’s support,” he said. “If you care about the future of this region, we should care about our current elected leaders and the people who want to guide us into the future.”
Do you need help with substance use disorder or mental health issues? In the US, call 800-662-HELP (4357) for SAMHSA National Helpline.
Discover more from PressNewsAgency
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.